Candidates for Monrovia City Council speak out

We asked the two candidates who filed for the two open city council seats on the Monrovia city council to tell us a little about themselves. They were asked to give us a brief profile of themselves including a bit about their background and families, the education and their experiences. We also asked them to explain why they were running for city council and what special abilities they would bring to the job. And lastly we wanted to know what they saw as the challenges facing the city and what they wished to do if elected.
We will be following the candidacy of any formally registered and nominated write in candidates if they appear.
Alexander Blackburn and Larry Spicer chose to answer our questions in different styles. Here are their responses:

Alexander Blackburn
Fellow Monrovians, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself to you. Though I have operated a business here for several years, and have been heavily involved in community service during my time in Monrovia, I have never before held public office. Consequently, there are some who are not yet familiar with me, my positions on issues, or the assets I will bring to the city council.
By way of background, I moved to Monrovia in 2009 and moved my law firm to Old Town in early 2010. I immediately became involved civically through the Monrovia Rotary Club, and am currently the club’s President-Elect. Much of my civic effort has involved promoting the city’s youth through scholarships and leadership training. In addition to Rotary, I have supported many other organizations and activities, such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills, Foothill Unity Center, Make a Difference Day, Relay for Life and Foothill Oaks Academy.
Prior to moving to Monrovia, I worked as a litigator for a law firm in downtown Los Angeles. In that capacity, I worked extensively on matters involving land use, eminent domain and breach of contract – areas of law directly pertinent to issues that now face the city.
Prior to taking the job in Downtown, I attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis. As a law student, I excelled academically and won the American Bar Association’s Negotiation Competition twice at the school level, was the 2005 Midwest regional champion, and competed successfully at the national level. At graduation, the school presented me with its Order of Barristers award for excellence in “applied lawyering skills.” I obtained my undergraduate degree in economics from Stanford University in 2001. While at Stanford, I earned numerous academic honors, and was a member of the football, crew and Judo teams. I particularly enjoyed Judo, and amassed an undefeated record in several divisions. Throughout my academic career, and early professional life, I had the wonderful opportunity to live and work in many areas across the country, including Chicago, Cambridge, St. Louis, Kansas City, and the Silicon Valley. I experienced each location’s strengths and weaknesses, and I hope to bring those experiences to bear as a city council member for the benefit of Monrovians.
The question I field most frequently is “why are you running for city council?” The answer is simple: Monrovia faces serious fiscal challenges that threaten to undermine our city, and I believe I have the skill set necessary to address those challenges. While recent city councils have served Monrovia quite well, the reality is that the city is in a precarious financial situation because of the general economic downturn coupled with the state’s ill-advised and short-sited dissolution of redevelopment agencies. The city has a diminished reserve balance and, while the city is currently able to meet its short-term cash needs, it is vulnerable to unexpected significant expenses. A weakened cash position also means that the city has little money to dedicate to business development, which is the foundation for the city’s future. Monrovia is essentially in self-preservation mode and I want to work with the other capable members of its council to get us beyond that. If elected, I intend to diligently seek out well-capitalized private partners for the city, explore federal and state sources of capital, and look for creative ways that the city can facilitate the innovative potential of its residents. Of course, all future business development must respect the sense of small town community that we love.
In addition to economic rehabilitation, I am also passionate about promoting education. If elected, I will collaborate with school officials to positively reinforce academic achievement. Tomorrow’s developer of the next penicillin is today’s humble student diligently studying while his peers indulge their shortsighted desire for immediate gratification. We need to recognize more passionately the sacrifice and dedication of these future leaders – those who will shape commerce, healthcare and national policy for future generations. As a council member, I hope to use the platform of my office to work towards that end.
Of course, there are many other issues facing Monrovia – issues too numerable to address here. Over the next couple of months, I hope to have the opportunity to meet with as many of you as possible so that we may discuss those issues. Residents should of course feel free to contact me through my campaign website voteblackburn.com. In short, Monrovia, I ask for your vote, so that I may zealously represent your interests.
-A. Blackburn

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Larry Spicer
Tell us a little bit about your background, where you were raised, your education, and life experiences. I am a Monrovia native, was raised here and attended public schools in this city. During my senior year in high school, I took classes at Citrus College. After graduation from Monrovia High [MHS] in 1973, I spent 21years in the U.S Army, served in Korea and Germany as a Logistics, Operations & Nuclear Biological Chemical Specialist and acquired leadership, accounting, procurement and logistics management skills. Recently, I earned an Associate Arts degree from Excelsior College in Buffalo, NY. Examples set by my parents, while I was a young child, still inspire me to work hard and serve others. Opportunities this community has afforded me in the past, causes me to volunteer now and want to continue giving back in the future. Family? Children – where are they in school? Delphine and I have been married for 21 years and are proud parents of three amazing children, all educated in Monrovia public schools. Our oldest, MHS Class of 2010, is a college junior who plans to attend law school. Our son, a MHS freshman, is a member of the Math and Science Academy, and just ended an outstanding season as quarterback of the Freshman football team. Our youngest is a 6th Grade Honors scholar at Clifton Middle School. She is a 4.0 student and was recently selected “Student of the Month.” Our children’s academic achievements demonstrate the value we place on education and the confidence our family has in Monrovia’s public schools, its teachers and administrators. What have you done in Monrovia, civic groups, boards, commissions other volunteer activities? My current and past volunteer efforts include:
Interim City Councilmember (2012- 2013) Monrovia Planning Commissioner (2010-2012) Trustee Second Baptist Church, Monrovia Watch Dog Dad for Bradoaks Elementary Peace on Patrol Parent (POP) Clifton Middle School and Monrovia High School Red Cross Volunteer Certified MAP (Monrovia Area Partnership) Leader Member Community Mediation Team (CMT) and Friday Night Live Coordinator Board Member Monrovia’s Make a Difference Day Board Member Duarte Hawks Youth Sports
Why are you running for City Council? I want to continue the work we have started so that Monrovia progresses economically and remains fiscally sound while providing a safe and nurturing environment for all of its residents. What special talents or abilities would you bring to the Council? Administrative or Leadership Experience: My military experience has taught me to protect others, and to make tough yet fair and equitable decisions based on facts after weighing the pros and cons. My procurement and accounting skills will help us make good use of city resources. I am an effective problem solver and good team member. For example, as MAP leader, I worked with a group after shootings in 2008 ravaged their neighborhood, walked Monrovia’s streets, calmed citizens’ fears, answered questions, squelched rumors, and helped find solutions that stopped the violence. This resulted in Monrovia receiving statewide recognition. I am not afraid to tackle tough social problems that adversely impact our community.
Corporate or Government. Any management experience. I served as Vice Chair of Monrovia’s Planning Commission; was an Acting Army 1St Sgt. responsible for 120 soldiers during field training; was a big rig driver’s trainer for a 3,000 truck fleet in Tulsa, OK (eight years); and have managed numerous volunteer projects.
What do you see as the largest challenges facing the city? Maintaining/upgrading our infrastructure, finding funds to balance our budget without Redevelopment dollars, and providing/expanding the programs and service levels we currently enjoy will be a tremendous challenge. What do you wish to accomplish if elected? I will work with the entire City Council and staff to find funding for upgrading Julian Fisher and other parks that need repair; see the Gold Line to Ontario Airport and Maintenance Campus completed; develop a community park in the southern section of the city to service our residents in that area; develop the Station Square area; hold quarterly meeting with residents to address their concerns/needs and solicit input; continue the partnership with our School District. My vision is for Monrovia to continue to be an All-America City.

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